Vijith555

Changing the battery to a new one didnt really help in my case. I have also noticed if i keep the start switch at ON position for about 8 seconds before starting the noise does not come but that is just coincidence. Now i did find this article online that actually mentions our problem and this guy recommends using thinner oil so the oil gets to cam gears through the 'vanes' sooner and doesn't cause the 1-2 second rattle. I currently use Penrite 5w40 and I am now thinking of using a thinner oil. But how thin can i go for this sort of engine? What do you guys recommend I try? You DIY Auto Thick oil and the VVT-i startup tick If you own a late model Toyota you may have noticed a 1-2 second ticking noise at startup. While there could be other mechanical problems, most of the time the culprit is a stuck/locked VVT-i controller. What can I do to resolve this? In some cases its an actual controller failure. But for most its oil selection. Its called Variable Valve Timing because its always running. From the second the engine starts, VVT is attempting to adjust to conditions. When it can't, gets stuck, it will tick for 1-2 seconds. Unlike Honda's VTEC that uses two sets of cam shaft profiles – one for low and mid range rpm and another for high rpm operation, VVT camshaft timing is varied using oil pressure according to engine revolutions, throttle position, engine coolant temperature and intake air volume. VVT operation depends on hydraulic oil pressure that arrives through a long winding path of tiny oil passages. So tiny they are known as "vanes". Its critical the system stays clean. Its critical the system maintains proper oil flow and pressure as fast as possible to prevent that annoying startup tick. Proper lubrication comes from a combination of oil pressure, flow, and film strength between moving parts. Oil pressure by itself is no indication of proper engine lubrication. Oil pressure is managed by the oil pump and relief valve. Thick oil will have higher pressure because there is more resistance to flow. Too high and it will flow out the oil pump relief valve back to the sump, lubricating nothing including the VVT system. As stated above, thick oil will have higher pressure because there is more resistance to flow. Add that to the tiny "vanes" of the VVT system and you have a oil flow lag as compared to the rest of the engine. By as much as 1-2 seconds. No coincidence that's the duration of the noise. Modern thin oils have better flow, better viscosity modifiers to manage film strength. That means better lubrication and cooling, keeping pressure within spec. Tthin as possible is a good thing, especially for the VVT-i system.. "Thin as possible" meaning some older engines have mechanical issues like wear/higher tolerances, valve seals, rings, etc. causing oil consumption that may prevent its use.

Hi guys just had a read through all the comments and know this is an old topic but thought I add my case in too. Used to drive a Sportivo ZR6 2009 but now drive a RX 350 same year. I believe they share the same engines. Since the last few months I have started to get the rattle on startup but never on a cold start. Only happens if you drive somewhere, park car and try to start within 1-2hrs. The car has always been serviced with correct spec oil. Currently running full synthethic Penrite 5w40. Now a month ago i switched to BP ultimate fuel and after a few tanks the noise disappeared away for a good month. So i was really happy that it got sorted and maybe it was sludge or dirt build maybe. But since the last week the problem is back again unfortunately. So I am really not sure now if it is dirt that is casing this because before this i used to use 95 grade fuel and occasionaly E10 which I believe might have added to the problem my bad. After reading through comments I saw one of you guys said changing the battery to a newer one helped. My last service mechanic actually mentioned he thinks the battery on my car is still the same one that got shipped from Japan and looks like never been replaced. I find it hard to believe but i know its quite old now and some occasions take little longer to start then how it was 2.5 years ago. I only had this car for 3 years now and it is at 130K.

Sounds good mate :) Wanted to hear how a twin custom system sounds like because on mine currently I got the rear mufflers deleted. Always wonder how some of the twin mufflers would sound like on stock setup though.

Thanks Josh :) Well I am so far happy with the looks havent done anything much just the rear mufflers changed to 2.5" straight through pipes for more sound..maybe some darker rims in the future ;) Thanks Ushan and nice to see a SL person in the forum :)

I saw the ZR6 at the dealership over the weekend..first I saw the front end and I was like thats sharp and when as soon as I saw the rear end that was it..thought to myself I dont have to worry about the new design at all as it isnt anywhere as neat as the older design..i think its gone on steroids or something..the interior is fantastic though..like Adamsy said i think we need to do a lot of drinking to get used to that design lol

Thanks :)

not all cars look good in white, but the Aurion does :) Cheers

Thank you..yeah I am into photography..I am not a pro but I try to get some good shots :)

Thanks mate :) You got some really neat mods done to your ride looking good :)

Thanks mate :) You got some really neat mods done to your ride looking good :)

Hey guys been here for a while but never got the chance to put some good pictures of my ride. My ride is basically stock visually so nothing much to see there :) I couldnt find a pinned thread for W.A owners here so made a new one. In case I have missed it please move this. Took these pics at the Perth Foreshore..lovely place for good shots :)

mwhaha good question but i havent ask them, and yes i can tell it will have issues with the warranty i dont really care anymore since the i bought it new now nearly 3 years wont make any difference toyota have a good engine wont have any problem after 5-6 years my other toyota nearly 12 years now still no a big problem just brake light bulb blowed every 3 month :P I actually rang Toyota and asked them if my warranty would get affected by removing the rear mufflers only and they said only anything to do with the exhaust would be not covered but everything else remains still under warranty..but maybe if you touch the cat or anything else then you might look into warranty issues in other areas..but like Shadow said these cars will just run through the warranty period with no real issues :)

Looks like you have done a lot of modifications and got that thing to sound just right hey..thats nice..would be interesting to hear how it sounded throughout those stages ;) nice to see another Aurion growling down the streets :)

The video I posted of my car is pretty much the same setup as the Blue Aurion video I posted earlier. My car is not the supercharged version. I have deleted the rear mufflers and gone with 2.5" pipes at the end nothing else. These vides wont show you the sound you get from inside the car though. Will try to make one or find one. Is there a problem with too much sound on the inside? I did something similar with 1 3/4 pipes with 6 inch length resonators and the drone was bad. just wondering if theres more sound on the outside rather than inside. Another point, has anyone tried to fabricate a single system, or a full twin system? There isnt to much noise inside actually. I have taken videos of the car being driven past me and it sounds loud and nice outside. It is definitely louder outside than inside. U do get a drone when it shifts between 3-4 or 4-5..but thats actually something you get for having a good growl..dropping down the exhaust and listening to it on idle really dont give u that nice sound u get when u are driving it. There is a nice rumble to it when u listen to it driven by which I like. about the full system I have no idea if anyone has done it so far mate. I know this is a stupid question to ask now but I was wondering how much of the warranty do I void when i take the rears off on these cars? Is it like the full engine warranty or just the exhaust system? Or none of the above?

Thats the best thing to do. It will be cheaper than putting sports mufflers on. Yeah I just love the growl and I missed that a lot earlier to this. A point to note is that the car interior is not going to be as quiet as when it is on stock mufflers though. Gear shifts that occur around 2000 rpm generate a strong hum inside but rest of the time its quiet..But if you are after this sound you wont mind it at all :) Also if you do go for this, make sure you keep your stock mufflers with u so if one day you want to go back its easy :)